Since 2017, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the Marriott family, capturing the essence of their lives and their deep love for horses. Over the past seven years, we’ve seen Matilda and Toby grow up and their bond with their parents, Suzanne and Jack, strengthen. Here’s a look back at our three memorable photo shoots and just some of the beautiful moments we’ve preserved together. The Beginning: Matilda and Dawn in 2017 In 2017, Suzanne reached ou[...]
I recently had the pleasure of being commissioned again by Soho Equestrian for an updated commercial photo shoot at the picturesque Rob Waine Dressage yard. This shoot featured the talented Lexi, not only an exceptional model but also a top rider, showcasing the brand's new cappuccino breeches and black leggings. Though the final product colours remain a secret, the black and white images captured the elegance and essence of Soho Equestrian's latest collection. As an experienced equine portrait[...]
Carlotta's journey with her beloved horses, Fly and Bruno, has been a beautiful story of companionship and growth. As a special Christmas present, Carlotta's parents, Amanda and Craig, gifted her a photo shoot to capture these precious moments. We scheduled the shoot strategically during her downtime while sitting her GCSE's, giving her something to look forward to, this photo shoot was more than just a session; it was a therapeutic and joyous experience.We chose a serene and picturesque yard, l[...]
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Hannah Sims, a wonderful equestrian based in Wiltshire, and her two charming equine loves, Brax and Tallulah. This shoot was particularly special to me, as Hannah’s down-to-earth approach to horsemanship mirrors my own. Our session was held at Hannah’s location. Originally Hannah was worried that her location didn't lend to an equine portrait shoot but I couldn’[...]
A Morning to Remember with Abi and Her Majestic Show Jumper When Soho Equestrian announced their online competition in collaboration with me, we were thrilled with the response from the equestrian community. Enthusiastic riders from all over shared their stories and dreams of capturing special moments with their beloved horses. The lucky winner of this competition was Abi, a passionate young rider who loves her show jumper, Harry, very much. On a rare sunny morning in February, I had the pl[...]
In the southwest France, amidst rolling hills and charming countryside, I recently had the pleasure of embarking on a equine portrait photoshoot with the talented equestrian, Sanne Udink, and her magnificent show jumpers. It was important to me that we added in Sanne's stunning location to add to the images and their legacy. As a photographer with a deep appreciation for both the artistry of equine sports and the art of visual storytelling, I knew from the moment I arrived at the stables that t[...]
In the world of photography, there are photoshoots, and then there are experiences that elevate the ordinary. Join me on a journey to Edinburgh, where I had the pleasure of crafting a truly unforgettable family photoshoot for a returning client, Lubna and her son Ghaith. This isn't just a tale of stunning visuals; it's a narrative of fun, spontaneity, and the art of creating moments that last a lifetime. Firstly, before I dive in I want to thank Lubna for commissioning me for this very special s[...]
After so many months in the UK of horrible, wet and cold weather it's making me miss the Boston weather even more. Why do we Brits always discuss the weather? I spend most of my day either checking the reports (none of them match), talking to clients about weather updates or replanning my already full diary because of poor weather. What it does give me is the ability to be super flexible with my diary and timings. Knowing the likelihood is that I will need to rebook shoots as the weath[...]
There's nothing quite like the bond between a horse and its rider and Ruby's photo shoot in Dubai was as magical as it gets. Ruby and Remi were an absolute delight to photograph, with a connection that truly shone through my lens. Ruby and Remi have an incredibly sweet and fun relationship and it's clear to see the bond and love between them. With the additional beauty of Dubai backdrops this shoot is easily in my top 10 from 2022 (along with her Mums of course!). I'm a[...]
When Im commissioned overseas there is an extra spring in my step, I adore travelling and seeing new places. This time I headed to Dubai to spend some very special time capturing the beautiful relationship between Loretta and her main man Valentino. Oh boy, does this horse stand up to his name. He's absolutley full of charm and grace, a true gentle giant. Loretta had had Valentino for just over 6 months when we did this shoot, I met him on my first trip to Dubai[...]
Dreams of travelling for work have always inspired me. Combining discovering new places with getting to know horses and their people is a real privilege. Although I travel the length of the UK, I adore jumping on a flight to the USA, Dubai, Geneva, France well, you get the picture. I'm even luckier now that I also get to explore these places with my friends and collaborators Rob Waine and Ben Franklin. We’ve travelled through Boston and onto New York having an absolute blast (even thoug[...]
This cutie patootie and her beloved Fly had their time to shine in front of the camera in 2020. Remember that insane year!? We actually only managed half of the shoot as the rain decided to make an appearance. However, even with only half a shoot the results were everything Carlotta and her Mum Amanda could wish for. Carlotta and Fly have built a beautiful relationship, it’s the most important element of a photo shoot. Capturing the real connection between you and your horse is top of[...]
Ah back to my favourite location, South Medburn. I have been commissioned at this yard for the past 4 years and I still find new locations and changes made at this yard that blow my mind. This time of year, we have long grass fields, weeping willows and groomed tracks that last for days. I have met Kate a few times on previous commissions at the yard and I couldn’t wait for her shoot with Tom. He is the gentlest of giants and clearly loves Kate very much. As long as Kate was going there,[...]
It’s wonderful to be back shooting full time and what feels pretty normal now. I have a very full diary for the rest of the year and the start of next year and I couldn’t be happier. Creating and capturing memories once again. This shoot included Rebecca’s beloved mare Catwoman, her husband Oliver and her three dogs Charlie, Shay and Lucy. We started on the yard, this is a known area for a horse, it’s a place they feel safe, secure and confident and is a great relaxer into the shoot. He[...]
This gorgeous Mum and Daughter duo was so great to shoot. I love it when I get to photograph family members together, especially if they keep their horses at home. There is just something ‘extra’ that comes from this combination. Here are just a few of my favourites from this equine portrait shoot in Maidenhead.[...]
After nearly 20 years of photographing 100's of clients with their horses I have great experience in helping you choose the right outfits and looks for your photo shoot. A shoot booked with me is to be loved and enjoyed for the rest of your life. This isn't a fleeting moment to be put away on a USB stick, the final shots are to be displayed large and proud on the walls of your beloved home. Therefore, the styling and outfits have to be perfect! Let's talk about Spring. As the seasons change, t[...]
This trip has been about a year in the making and this is only the start. In 2017 I was commissioned to photograph a client, her daughter and their 5 horses in their english livery yard, just before they moved back to the USA. The horses needed to stay in the UK while they set up their new home and barn in Boston, MA and my client knew she wanted framed images of their love and friendship to keep her sane while they built the horses their new homes. When we met, we had one of thos[...]
All the way back in 2017 I met Jennifer and her dressage horse Lightening. Jennifer had been gifted a photo shoot from Rob Waine, for being such a wonderful supporter and friend to Rob. When someone is gifted a photo shoot it's a really big deal. Not only do I need to introduce myself to my new client, but I need to guide them through my experience without overwhelming them. Normally I will meet people at a show, or they have followed me for a while online, this way they have been able to see fr[...]
When I met Kirsty at her yard, she introduced me to her stunning and charming mare Zarah, she was so sweet and welcoming. Zarah is an absolute beauty, full of character and fun. There are certain clients that have a look that compliments some backgrounds and locations. Kirsty's gorgeous and vibrant hair compliments the classic stable shot so much. I start most photo shoots in the stable location, its a great way to ease the horse and owner into the shoot and get them used to my directions and[...]
I thought I would photograph a location from my phone, as someone who is just walking around this (albeit incredible) yard would see the locations, to the finished images that were shot here. So here we go!
I know many of my clients worry that their yard won't lend itself to a photoshoot. Many think: "I don't have a big barn or a line of blossom trees! I won't get any lovely images" Let me tell you why you are wrong (said with love!). The photo shoot is not about the yard, or the view or even the great big oak tree thats perfect for leaning shots. This photo shoot is about capturing the friendship and bond you have with your horse. The reason you get out of bed on bloomin' cold January mornings[...]
Early last year I decided I wanted to know a bit more about Polo, the game, the ponies and the players. After doing some research and chatting to experts I connected with one of Britains Top Polo Players - Ollie Cudmore. Son of Robert Cudmore, an ex-Australian, highly respected polo player. Ollie has lifted the Polo Crown and so far has made his father, and his team extremely proud. I wanted to collaborate with Ollie and his girlfriend, the beautiful Posy for an informal lifestyle[...]
A very Happy New Year to all of my past, present and future clients. I hope 2018 was a fabulous year for you all, and here's to an exciting and adventurous 2019! Wow 2018 was an epic year - a quick overview: Achieving my Associateship with the British Institute of Professional PhotographersA fully booked diary A pretty full diary for 2019 alreadyNew collaborations with 2 Polo Players 3 wonderfully creative shoots with Cordings of PiccadillyShipping 17 beautifully fram[...]
I had the absolute privilege of photographing Madeleine Banbury recently at her temporary home in Malmesbury. Madeleine is a phenomenal and extremely talented equestrian artist, someone I have followed for a while and her attention to detail in her portraits is inspiring. She paints from her models being in front of her, rather than using still images, giving another depth to her paintings. Madeleine has a natural air of kindness and calmness around her chestnut hunting mare, Th[...]
Do you ever worry about what to wear on your photo shoot? Well you are not alone. When you commission me, not only do we have an awesome few hours together posing and laughing, but I make sure you are completely prepared for your photo shoot. This includes outfit choices and styling. First things first - you will receive my Style Guide with your Welcome pack, this has a collection of suggested styles to aim towards. Plus we then have a phone call or Skype to chat about outfit[...]
What a fun shoot with Yvette and her 2 lovely boys in London, it was so great to see how Yvette has trained her little Mango to hold his foot out towards her on command. He is such a character and full of spirit. Scotch, Yvette's posh boy was so impeccably behaved. He clearly loved posing for the camera and strutted his stuff in and around this year. I must say that this yard is a particularly beautiful location. It had so much to offer and so much that I wanted to include in[...]
Nicki called me a few weeks ago to book a portrait session for her and her handsome fellow 'Dibble' at home in Rochdale, Manchester. I traveled up and met with Nicki at her newly finished home on Tuesday morning. After I had a really good rummage through Nicki's wardrobe, picking outfits (one of my favourite past times) and walking around her beautiful home to get a feeling of where we could display the images from the shoot, we headed over the hill (3 minutes away) to the yard, where Dibble was[...]
I met Caroline back in 2016, at a Rob Waine Dressage Competition. Rob has been a client of mine for some years now and I adore spending time with him, his horses and at his stunning yard in Buckinghamshire. When Rob mentioned he runs a dressage competition from his yard each year I jumped at the chance to have a stand at the events and sponsor the competition. One of the overall prizes from competing here was to win a full photo shoot with me, which included a big frame! I was delighted to rec[...]
This little wonder made an appearance in April 2017. One of my great friends has started breeding with her home bred Mare, who happens to have delicious foals. This is Nutmeg having one of the first outings in the field... [...]
Back in September 2016 I was flown over to the stunning island of Jersey for 4 days to photograph 3 friends with their horses. Each of these beautiful girls enjoyed an equine photo shoot in their chosen locations around the island. Even though this incredible place is actually rather small, the shoot locations that these ladies choose for themselves allowed each to be bespoke and to speak to each of their roots. I started my week with Mel, Murphey and Solo. We captured a set at Mel's yard[...]
Simon owns 4 horses with his son Tom. Alongside hacking in stunning woodland at the back of their home in Oxfordshire, Simon and Tom drive two of their horses. We combined a portrait shoot around Simon and Tom's home along with some special images of the harnesses horses with the passenger cart. Tom and Simon wanted to capture this time in their lives showing their mutual love for their horses. We all know that as kids grow up, they move on and potentially move away. Although Tom travels a l[...]
In October 2016 I met Robyn and captured beautiful portraits of Robyn and her two boys, Flash and Jake. Robyn keeps her horses just outside of Warminster at a lovely and quiet yard. Robyn had a great selection of styles and clothing that she brought to her portrait session. After picking out our top 3 outfits we walked around the yard and selected our favourite locations. This yard is set within a valley, and at this time of year the colours scream out and add to every shot. One of[...]
First of all, I have to apologise for the lack of blog posts on my private commissions. I know how popular these are and everyone loves seeing my favourite shots from a shoot, so I am sorry! I have had a firm word with my diary and will be making time (somehow) to create these. The problem is, I spend my time photographing these beautiful people and their horses! Looking right back at 2016 (I know, I know!) I was commmissioned to photograph this incredibly talented dressage rider at his yard[...]
I have been a professional photographer for over 18 years. In all of this time, whatever I have photographed I have captured a personal connection with a lifestyle feel to all images. Even when I was photographing on the event field with top event riders such as Harry Meade and William Fox-Pitt, it was the preparation and lifestyle that I was interested in capturing. I would often be up at the same time as the grooms, part of the story I am telling is the incredible work that goes into Ev[...]
I recently received this testimonial from a client, who has to date, had three photo shoots with me, creating life long memories and art work of her treasured horses and ponies. "I first enquired about a photoshoot with Hannah in Spring 2016 because, having recently seen some photos from a shoot my Mum participated in, I was keen to have some special images of myself and my horses to look back on in years to come. Having followed Hannah’s social media profiles for a while, we knew she woul[...]
Back in 2016, Equilibrium ran a #shareyourmare competition to win £150 worth of Equilibrium Products plus a full equine photo shoot with me, plus a 16inch framed and mounted print. To enter the competition you needed to send in why your Mare is special and worthy of winning Mare of the Month. Once they had run the competition for 4 months and had 4 Mares of the Month, an overall winner was choosen, this being Serena and her mare Aronique (AKA Nooey) Read Aronique's full story from Equilibrium[...]
Back in July 2016 I was commissioned to photograph this enchanting young lady, Jemima who is 16 and had 2 ponies, Thyme (13.3hh) and Spike (30" high). She was ready to move on to horses and wanted a record of her happy 4 years with Thyme/Spike and asked for a photoshoot for her birthday (just before GCSE's). I had great fun photographing the three of them together and then separately. An extra bonus that Jemima brought to the photo shoot was that she can ride side saddle, and very we[...]
"No hour of your life is wasted in the saddle" - Winston Churchill I have worked with many eventers and I see this time and time again. Its all down to the LOVE we feel for each and every horse. Not only in success but the effort that your horse puts in and it's all for you! Megan and Sherman - June 2016 When I visited Megan and her eventer, Sherman she was aware that 2016 would probably be the last season with Sherman as she needed something with a few more hands, which, a[...]
I visited Julie and her two horses in June and was welcomed immediately by both horses the dogs and Julie. As I arrived both horses were having their feet trimmed and checked as they are shoeless, which suits them both really well. Julie's husband purchased this shoot for her birthday and I know this is something she was really excited about, although nerves also played their part. Julie told me that she hates the camera being on her. As I tell many of my clients:[...]
In June this year I was commissioned to capture Gemma Tattersall at her home in Tattleton with her horses. This is my 8th front cover and features edition for this particular magazine. I work very closely with this amazing brand, Your Horse & Country. The magazine is beautifully created and printed on very high quality stock and although the magazine is a free pick up, it stands alone and at the top of it's market. This is why, when they contact top Olympic riders such as Wi[...]
I was recently interviewed by the scrumcious Sarah Skillin from The BitUk and here is the final copy... Interview with Hannah Freeland Hannah Freeland – the photographer behind the iconic Pol Roger and Land Rover shoot at Burghley and so many truly touching equine photographs. So who better to turn to when you need some advice regarding selecting new brand ambassadors. Hannah helped us make our final selection of brand ambassadors and guided us on attributes to look for in people to[...]
When a client calls to book a shoot with me we have an initial chat about what they would like from the shoot and who will be included. This is not the pre-shoot consultation, that happens a little later, a week or two before the shoot date. One of the reasons this is so important is to discuss our locations, outfits, timings and any questions they may have. Many clients have a few questions in their head, but are not sure how to ask them, for example: What happens if it rains on my shoot day?[...]